Too old-lady?

[ashthedreamer]

Lately I've been crushing on the name Agnes. I absolutely love both its English (AG-ness) and French (ahn-YESS) pronunciations, I love it as a way to honor my mom (since their meanings are identical). I really love the idea of Agnes Violet as a combo--and Violet would even honor my two grandmothers and my dad, as well. I've been tossing around Agnes Violet Lark or Agnes Violet Jane as a full combo. I think, with the French pronunciation, I could even get away with Annie as a nickname for it (or even Anya), which I've always loved. I love the French inspiration behind Agnes, as well--I'm part French, love the language, and am a bit of a Francophone, so everything about it seems perfect to me... except that it is still very much an old-lady name to a lot of people. I've posted about it on another name site, and they seemed quite appalled that I genuinely loved it for a future daughter--is it really that bad?

I know Agnes is more likely to be a name that Berries would say go for it, but I honestly don't want a name that my daughter would grow up hating, much as I adore it. Then again, I've heard several references to Agnes lately--Jennifer Connelly's baby, the little girl in Despicable Me, and I know one or two Berries have used it for their daughters recently. Do you think it'll make a comeback? Or is it destined to stay old-lady forever? Could it work as a FN? Or should I stick it in the MN spot? Thoughts on Agnes Violet Jane/Agnes Violet Lark?

Thanks, ladies!

[annettevernon]

Agnes is beautiful. It is on my list and with the nickname Aggie there is not way it could be too old-lady like.

[sarahn]

Personally, I don't care for the name. I know older "grandma-ish" names are becoming popular again.. but I'm just not sold. I feel you should trust your instincts though, if you truly love a name, and especially if it has meaning to you, then you can't go wrong.

[audra]

I love Agnes. I think it's classic and beautiful. You have put a lot of thought into the name as well, and I think that would mean a lot to your future daughter.

[flick]

I don't care for Agnes, personally, but I don;t think it's too "old lady" at all - all old ladies were babies and little girls at some point.

[whirligig]

I don't care for Agnes, personally, but I don;t think it's too "old lady" at all - all old ladies were babies and little girls at some point.

I agree totally
Loving the Violet Lark middles

[esrever88]

I might not be the right person to give advice on whether something is too "old lady", since I love a TON of names that others consider "old lady" - that said, though, I think Agnes is lovely. She's a classic, and was once the third-most popular name in the English-speaking world, and definitely seems to be getting more attention now, for all the reasons you mentioned.

I love Agnes Violet Jane - I personally wouldn't go with Agnes Violet Lark, since Agnes Lark was the combo that Jennifer Connelly used. I also think Agnes Violet Hope would be stunning.

[catloverd]

I'm sorry, but I don't care for the name, I just imagine a very grumpy women or what someone would call a "hag" :/

[ashthedreamer]

I might not be the right person to give advice on whether something is too "old lady", since I love a TON of names that others consider "old lady" - that said, though, I think Agnes is lovely. She's a classic, and was once the third-most popular name in the English-speaking world, and definitely seems to be getting more attention now, for all the reasons you mentioned.

I love Agnes Violet Jane - I personally wouldn't go with Agnes Violet Lark, since Agnes Lark was the combo that Jennifer Connelly used. I also think Agnes Violet Hope would be stunning.

Well, I'm glad to know at least some people would like her name, haha. I was wondering if I should go for Agnes Violet Jane rather than Agnes Violet Lark due to Jennifer Connelly, but I can't help loving it! I think Lark adds a bit of lightness and frivolity to the combo as a whole, which is nice, since Agnes seems pretty heavy to a lot of people. Either way, though, Jane and Lark are both honoring--Jane is a feminization of my dad's and brother's (and grandfather's, and great-grandfather's...) names, and Lark would be for my grandma, again, since birding has always been a hobby of hers. Since it feels like Violet isn't too strong of a nod toward her (it's only her favorite color, which is nice, but it doesn't seem to honor her as obviously as something like her initials or one of her actual names would), so I like that Violet and Lark together honor her quite nicely. I was afraid that Agnes Violet Lark was a bit overload, but if I'm being honest, I do prefer it to Agnes Violet Jane.

Another of my concerns is that I can't really see Agnes as a sister to any of my current favorites. Something like Edith or Florence, sure, but can you really see Agnes and Isabelle as siblings? Agnes and Liliana? Agnes and Rachel? I'm not sure I can.

[claireelise]

This is one and only "old lady name" that I don't care for. Usually I love, or at the very least could learn to LIKE other vintage/old-fashioned names, but I just don't think Agnes OR Aggie sounds pretty! I think I could probably get on board with Agatha though...

I DO appreciate that it has meaning for you, but I can't picture a teenager or young woman loving this name.